PhD student in Animal Ecology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A PhD student position in Animal Ecology is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. For more information, see www.ieg.uu.se.

The Evolutionary Biology Centre (http://www.ebc.uu.se/?languageId=1) is one of the world’s leading research institutions in evolutionary biology. It is part of Uppsala University, which has been ranked very high among all European Universities in the subject of animal ecology and evolutionary biology. Our lab is part of the Program of Animal Ecology that excels in many aspects of genetics and evolution and offers an inspiring international atmosphere. There are ample opportunities for interaction with PhD-students, PostDocs and researchers working on related topics. We are tightly linked to the Science for Life Laboratory (https://www.scilifelab.se/) and have access to advanced laboratory infrastructure, high performance computing resources and bioinformatics support.

Project description: Earth is permeated by a remarkably rich flora and fauna, from the highest mountains to the deepest seas and lakes. Unfortunately, biological diversity is disappearing at a fast and accelerating pace. To preserve the biological diversity it is important to understand the two ways that underlie changes in species diversity: extinction and speciation. So far, most studies have been focused on understanding mechanisms of extinction, since speciation traditionally has been seen as a slow process that ‘only adds new species to the existing ones’. Recent research efforts challenge this picture and require that we reassess the roles of both speciation and extinction in generation and maintenance of biodiversity.  Speciation can occur quickly, especially when the process acts in reverse – i.e. where a new species develops from two parental species through hybridization. In this project, we aim to characterize and quantify mechanisms that affect how species boundaries dissolve in freshwater lakes. Particular focus will be on the common bream and the white bream (Abramis sp.), two closely related freshwater fish species that currently hybridize to some extent and that run the risk of collapsing into a single unit (gene-pool). The PhD project will contain a range of approaches including genetic studies, field and lab experiments and mathematical modelling. A major aim will be to derive a risk analysis for loss of biodiversity in Swedish freshwater lakes.   The project is a collaboration between Richard Svanbäck (main advisor; richard.svanback[at]ebc.uu.se) och Nicklas Backström (niclas.backstrom[at]ebc.uu.se) vid Uppsala Universitet samt Åke Brännström vid Umeå Universitet (co-advisor; ake.brannstrom[at]umu.se).

Duties: The PhD training comprises four years of full time research including courses and literature studies.

Qualifications required: To be eligible for a PhD-student position the applicant must hold a master degree (or equivalent) biology or a relevant field. Some experience with mathematics, bioinformatic analysis and/or programming will be necessary to carry out the projects. Candidates must be able to express themselves fluently in spoken as well as written English.

Qualifications desired: The ideal candidate is highly motivated and enthusiastic about evolutionary biology and has a good understanding of evolutionary theory, especially population genetics and/or speciation. Thorough experience in mathematics, matehematical modeling,bioinformatic analysis of genetic data and programming is advantageous. Statistical training is also advantageous.

Starting date: 2019-09-01 or as otherwise agreed.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Position: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. The graduate program covers four years of full-time study. The position can be combined with teaching or other duties at the department (maximum 20%), which prolongs the employment with the corresponding time. The salary will be set according to local agreements. Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English. More information about postgraduate studies at Uppsala University is available at http://www.teknat.uu.se/education/postgraduate/.

Application: The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing yourself, your research interests and motivation of why you want to do a PhD, and why you are suitable for the position, 2) your CV, 3) a short description of your education, 4) a copy of your master degree, your course grades and a copy of your master thesis, 5) the names and contact information to at least two reference persons (e-mail address and phone no.), and 6) publications produced The application should be written in English. 

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

For further information about the position please contact: Senior Lecturer, Richard Svanbäck, Richard.svanback@ebc.uu.se, +46-18-471 2938.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 2019-06-12. UFV-PA 2019/1829.